Garrett Brodhead Linderman, son of Dr. John J. and Rachel (Brodhead) Linderman, was a man of extraordinary ability, and his activities extended into various fields. In his early manhood he was a skillful and successful physician, but for the latter thirty years of his life he was one of the most potential factors in the manufacturing, mining, and transportation and financial interests of Pennsylvania. He was a native of the State, born in Lehman township, Pike county, October 15, 1829. He obtained his education in the public schools, and began the study of medicine under the masterly preceptorship of his father, subsequently attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, from which he received his medical degree. For several years he practiced in association with his father, and then for two years (1853-1855) at Unionville, New Jersey. He then succeeded his brother, Dr. Henry L. Linderman, as physician of the Nesquehoning Coal Company. During the subsequent cholera epidemic at Mauch Chunk he gave his services to the people of that sorely stricken village, and with such zeal and success that they earnestly solicited him to become a resident, and be continued to labor there for ten years, making for himself a splendid reputation as a practitioner. His abilities were recognized far beyond his immediate sphere, and he would undoubtedly have soon been called to a higher place in the profession had it not been that circumstances led him away from it altogether.

In 186o his arduous work as a physician had, so impaired his health that he found it necessary to abridge his effort, and lie devoted his attention in part to commercial affairs, and soon afterward gave himself to such pursuits entirely. In 1863 he became an active partner in the East Sugar Loaf Colliery as a member of the firm of Packer, Linderman & Company, and a partner in the Room Run Colliery, operated by Douglas, Skeer & Company, conducting all the business of the first named firm, and also that of the other, on the retirement of Mr. Douglas, in 1865. The output of both collieries, reaching tidewater, was sold by E. A. Packer & Company until 1867, when Mr. Packer withdrew, and the firm became. G. B. Linderman & Company. From this time Mr. Linderman had charge of both production and sales departments, and was necessarily in New York City the greater part of the time. Discerning the fact that so many coal, producing firms in the the Lehigh Valley, producing and marketing without concert of action, were working an injury to themselves and to the business at large, he set to work to remedy the evil and organized the Lehigh Coal Exchange, of which he was elected president, and which position he occupied until his death.

It would be difficult to detect a feature of the commercial, financial and moral life of the community which was not colored by the personality and genius of Dr. Linderman. In 1878 he organized the banking firm of C. B. Linderman & Company, at Mauch Chunk. In 1870 he removed to South Bethlehem, and erected a fine mansion on Fountain Hill, which was his home during the remainder of his life. In 1872 he organized the Lehigh Valley National Bank of Bethlehem, and became its president. In 1877 he aided the Bethlehem Iron Company with a large sum of money at a critical moment, and was elected managing director and subsequently general manager. Through his active and intelligent effort a threatened calamity was avoided, and the business was placed upon a substantial basis. He remained in charge until his death, and brought the firm to an exceptionally foremost place in the manufacturing world. He was a prime factor in the founding of the Association of the Bessemer Steel Companies of the United States, and was a member of its board of control from the beginning. He was also chairman of the Wilbur Mining and Manufacturing Company of Ontario, Canada ; organizer and for some years chairman of the Jaraugua Iron Company, Limited, of Cuba a shareholder and director in the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and a member of various other corporations. To all he gave a close and intelligent attention, and he was recognized both in Pennsylvania and in New York as one of the most capable men of his state in commercial and financial affairs.

His devotion to such manifold interests, upon whose proper maintenance depended the fortunes of hundreds of careful investors, among them widows and orphans, as well as the daily bread of thousand of wage earners, did not complete the measure of his exceptionally busy and useful life. He was an original member of the board of trustees of Lehigh University, chairman of the executive committee of that body, and a member of the building committee. He labored zealously in the work of establishing and developing this now famous institution of learning, and his interest remained undiminished until his death. He was also for a number of years a member of the board of trustees of St. Luke's Hospital. To both the institutions named, as well as to others, he was a constant and liberal donor. He and his family were communicants of the Church of the Nativity (Protestant Episcopal) at South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and he contributed liberally to its maintenance and to its various benevolences. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, and gave to his party a vigorous support. In 1878 he came within a few votes of receiving the nomination of his district for congress, and his name was brought forward frequently afterwards, but he invariably declined, feeling that the interests of the community would be better subserved by his undivided attention to business affairs. During the Hancock campaign he took a particularly active part, and organized the Democracy of South Bethlehem, and was president of the Central Club. On the eve of the presidential election he presided at a large mass meeting, and made a masterly speech on the tariff question from a Democratic standpoint.

Dr. Linderman was twice married. His firstwife, to whom he was united August 21, 1856, was Miss Lucy Packer, a daughter of judge Asa Packer, the distinguished philanthropist and friend of education, to whose municificent generosity is due the founding of Lehigh University. Mrs. Lindernian, a woman of lovely character, who was her husband's devoted aid in all benevolent works, died in July, 1872, leaving three cbildren -- Sallie, deceased, the wife of Warren A. Wilbur; Robert P. Linderman, deceased, of whom a sketch appears in this work; and Garrett B. Linderman, who conducts the business with which his father was so long identified. March 16, 188o, Mr. Lindernian married Miss Frances Evans, daughter of Mr. George A. Evans, of Brooklyn, New York, and of this marriage were born three daughters -- Lillian, Ida, and Helen.

Dr. Lindernian died September 28, 1885, at his residence on Fountain Hill, South Bethlehem, from congestion of the brain. He had been failing for some months, and during the, summer had spent a portion of his time at Long Branch, in company with his family, attending only to such business as necessity imperatively demanded. In connection with the association of steel manufacturers formed that year, he performed some important work, and visited Bethlehem late in August, and the iron works, of which he was manager. September 1st. Returning to Long Branch, he was again at his home in South Bethlehem on the tenth of that month, and there remained until the end came.

His death was widely and deeply deplored, creating, as it did, a great void in various important business circles, as well as in the social life of the community. The tributes paid to his memory were fervent and sincere. His interest in the borough where was his home, and in the adjacent town of Bethlehem, were ever active and warm, and hundreds of their people had profited by his advice and aid, in private and in municipal affairs. His business career has been narrated with sufficient particularity, but this was only one side of his life. Mention, too, has been made of his zealous interest in educational and charitable works. In his personal relations.with his fellows he was the ideal Christian gentleman. His large wealth worked no diminution of his sympathy for the individual, nor caused him to hold aloof from immediate contact with the normal life of the community. He was a democrat in the largest and best meaning of a most comprehensive word. He delighted in the discovery of true manhood, was quick to recognize merit, and was ever ready to render aid to the enterprising and honorable man whose integrity and habits of life commanded confidence. It is said of him upon excellent authority that many business men who have achieved success in Bethlehem and vicinity owe their beginnings to his wise counsel and timely assistance. His confidence once won was lasting, and he was a stalwart friend, in storm and sunshine, and despite detraction. Such qualities, united with his excellent executive ability, tenacity of purpose and remarkable discernment, marked him as one of the really remarkable and admirable men of a remarkable period, when the region with which he was so long identified was entering upon a new. and phenomenal growth along all lines of progression, moral as well as material. His home life was of singular beauty, all about him testifying to his refinement and intelligence, and his devotion to a family regard after his own lofty ideals.